Swansea City kicked off their pre-season tour of America with a 2-2 draw against MLS side Philadelphia Union.

After conceding an early CJ Sapong penalty, the Swans dominated much of the first hour and goals from Kyle Bartley and Jordan Ayew gave them a half-time lead at the Talen Energy Stadium.

However, Jay Simpson levelled for the hosts just before the hour mark and neither side could find a winner during an open final half-hour.

The game was Swansea’s first since Gylfi Sigurdsson’s late decision not to travel on this pre-season trip, and following that refusal it looks increasingly likely he will not be with the club when the Premier League campaign begins in mid-August.

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But, whatever the eventual outcome in that saga, the focus for head coach Paul Clement on this trip is to get the squad in attendance ready for the rigours of a new season, and to that end there were some positive signs.

New signing Roque Mesa enjoyed a highly impressive 45 minutes as he started alongside Tom Carroll in midfield, while Ayew was a tireless bundle of energy up front with Oli McBurnie similarly lively after the break.

Kyle Bartley scored Swansea's equaliser

At the back Bartley had a strong outing, with Alfie Mawson coming through his first pre-season action with no problem.

Given the heat, the fact Philadelphia are in the midst of their season, and a heavy training workload since Swansea’s arrival barely 48 hours before kick-off, there was a pleasing sharpness and crispness to many passages of play and an energetic pressing game.

But the fact remains that results are not the be all and end all just a matter of days into pre-season, with the priority being on getting the collective in fine fettle for the serious business of the Premier League.

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Brazilian midfielder Ilsinho’s clever pass found Simpson’s forward run, and the former Hull and West Brom striker steered the ball beyond a wrong-footed Nordfeldt.

McBurnie came within a whisker of restoring Swansea’s lead, seizing on a poor pass to round the keeper only for his shot to roll just the wrong side of the post.

Chances came at either end during the final half-hour, McBurnie was twice denied, while Nordfeldt was alert to keep out a Charlie Davies header as it ended all square.

Swansea’s next game in the US sees them take on Richmond Kickers in the early hours of Thursday morning UK time. New loan signing Tammy Abraham is due to link up with the squad in North Carolina on Sunday.